Wearing a protective style during the warmer seasons is like heaven on earth. There’s no better feeling than freeing yourself of styling responsibilities for an extended period of time. Although they are convenient, fiinding the perfect style that balances both your professional and personal life can be challenging! Have no fear; here are five styles that will protect your hair while maintaining professionalism in the workplace.

Some people say natural hair is unprofessional - in this video I
share 4 easy, very polished styles perfect for work. These will also be
great for all recent graduates currently interviewing to land that new gig!

Many of us naturals have struggled with the way our hair should be worn in the workplace, but what about head wraps and turbans? Is there an appropriate way to wear them or should they even be allowed in the office at all? I’ll be the first to admit that I was against this whole idea of head wraps in the office, unless it carried a religious meaning. Actually, I wasn’t even really excited, at first, to be writing this article since I had such a strong opinion about it being prohibited.

Natural hair in the workplace is a discussion I haven’t had in quite some time. In all honesty, I’ve almost completely forgotten about (ignored? remained indifferent to?) outsiders’ perceptions and the intersections of me, my professionalism, and my physical presentation – but I was reminded of it all last night.

When I first went natural I was terrified of going out into the world with my new hair. It was my own hair but there was no straightening, wig, or weave to cover my curly texture.

It was just me.

I was received with welcome arms from most, but I did notice the silent stares by others. Despite that, I can honestly say I was treated no differently. Then, I switched jobs and it was like going from day to night. My immediate supervisor (who did not hire me, by the way) made it known that she did not like my curly/coily hair. The few times I would straighten my hair she would shower me with “ooohs” and “ahhhs” and “it’s so pretty this way.”

The last time I wore it straight to the office, she went so far to say, “it’s professional when you wear it straight and you should keep it this way.” I was stunned, infuriated, and high-tailed it to the ladies room to ruin my style with water and my spray bottle. Needless to say, it was the beginning of the end for that job and yes, there were other problems but the main problem was me not being accepted as me.

I will never forget my first time preparing for a pharmacy job interview. "So are you really going to wear your hair like that?", my fellow colleague asked peering into my Afro as if it were a foreign object. I had never given a second thought to the idea if my hair would be "acceptable" to wear to a job fair. I always put more emphasis into making sure my makeup didn't look too bright, my business suit wasn't too tight, or that my heels weren't too high. Professionalism was something I always took pride in, but the concept of how I would style my hair was never a concern.Read On!>>>

Recently I had the displeasure of having my hair bar me from a job. Despite the fact that I didn't really care for the job, I decided to go on the interview just to see what the job entailed. I sat calmly waiting for my turn. The first person to be interviewed was a Black man with the standard hair cut for a Black man, the tried and true shaved head; complete with an impeccable line. You know the hair cut I'm talking about. NASA can't even get lines that straight! At the end of his interview the interviewer/boss told the young man he was to start on Sunday. I thought to myself, "Wow that is an ultra fast response!", because usually they let you know in a week or a few days if they are interested in hiring you.

Next up was a girl from Syria. I know she was from Syria because that was brought up during her interview. Her interview went on the longest, because her and the interviewer got into a heated political discussion about the ongoing conflict in that region. I used to work in HR and I know that politics shouldn't ever be brought up in an interview. I looked into the office at the interviewers face he seemed a bit flustered at the young ladies thoughts. I feared the worst for her… But then he told her, "Alright we will start you on Sunday!". Then he thanked her and patted her on the back on the way out. At the door he called in the next person.

Again I sat there, waiting and listening. The next person didn't seem completely there mentally. And this was also reflected in their voice and speech during their interview. Luckily this was also the shortest interview. At the end of the interview the boss said, "I'll be honest I'm not completely sure you can do the job, BUT I'm all about giving people chances here! You will start on Monday." That was really nice of him I thought to myself. I didn't have time to dwell on that thought long because I was next!

I walked into the office, and sat down. He looked up at me as I sat down, then spent the remainder of the interview staring down at my resume. He wasn't all warm and friendly with me, like he was with all of the other people he interviewed. There was no eye contact, and no rapport either. When I answered his questions he didn't really seem to care what I was saying. He didn't take an interest in my answers like I had just witnessed him do with the three people that preceded me! Then I found out why…

"So this hair of yours" he started, finally looking up at me, "do you think I should hire you with that hair?"

"What does that have to do with this job?" I responded.

"Do you think I should hire you with that hair" he asked back in a snippy tone.

I attended a natural hair party a few weeks
ago and one of the women made a comment that struck me as interesting.
We were discussing products and she informed me that her hair needs to
be “neat” for work. She works as a graphic designer in a corporate
office. When I asked her to clarify what she meant by “neat” she told me
that she couldn’t have her hair “out” and made a wide gesture with her
hands indicating that it couldn’t be big. Her hair was blow-dried
straight and flat-ironed to encourage the sleek, straight look she was
going for.

My conversation with her had me thinking about my own natural hair
experience and working in a corporate office with other individuals who
are not black. I realized that at no point in time did my boss, the CEO
of the company, or anyone in Human Resources ever say to me that my hair
had to be styled a certain way. In fact, when I did the big chop a few
years ago and feared going into the office with my textured hair, my
mind was instantly put at ease when I received compliments about my new
look. It was then that I realized that a lot of time we as naturals
often put parameters and limitations on how we think our hair should
look and be styled. I realized very quickly that I had the problem with
how my hair looked thinking that it wasn’t “professional” enough,
inappropriate or too “wild” for the workplace.

Why is it that natural hair appears to be looked upon unfavourably in
corporate North America? I understand the negative stigma attached to
natural hair historically and the psychological vestiges of slavery when
it comes to hair types and texture. And I guess some of us have been
taught – either through media images, society and members of our family –
to loathe the appearance of natural textured hair and have affixed
negative adjectives to it. Historically when black hair was
straightened we were seen as more likeable and agreeable, and less
unruly and uncivilized. Much like skin tone, the more “white” we
appeared, the more comfortable others were with us and the more accepted
we felt. My husband likes to say that relaxed hair makes Caucasians
relaxed. While there is likely some truth in this statement in the 21st
century, I wonder if it doesn’t have more of an effect of making us
(the wearer) relaxed around other people who don’t have textured hair.
It’s sad really but feedback from other naturals has indicated that
other black women are more critical and negative of natural hair
than white people. Is this the self-loathing that is so apparent with us
or is something else at play here? I’m not sure. A controversial
decision was made by the dean of Hampton University Business school to
ban the wearing of dreadlocks and cornrows by men in the classroom due
to the “unprofessional” look of these styles. He defended his decision
by stating that the ban has been effective at helping graduates find
work. Is he right or wrong, I don’t know. But the decision goes back to
what hairstyles are deemed to be acceptable and professional in the
workplace, especially the corporate environment.

It still takes work to appreciate, be thankful and grateful for my
hair texture. The availability of hair products and resources that
assist in the proper care of our hair has helped tremendously. And
because of the number of women deciding to embrace their natural hair
textures, there is strength in numbers. We still have a lot of work to
do to see our hair as an adornment of beauty rather than something to be
scorned at and tamed. I love my hair because of its versatility; I can
wear it straight and sleek or big and curly, and everything in between
if I choose to. I see all of these styles as a representation of who I
am and my hair hasn’t been a deterrent to me achieving success and
advancement in my career. However I understand that this may not be the
case with every woman who chooses to go back to her natural roots. I
believe that this inability to wear our hair in specific natural styles
can be an obstacle to the emotional advancement of women who are really
trying to love themselves completely. I could be wrong but I definitely
think it’s worth the discussion.

What do you think? Is wearing your hair natural looked down upon in your workplace?

So what is a TWA you ask? Teeny Weeny Afro! That is the classification of my hair at the length that it is at right now. Although I think I will be past that stage very soon because I am almost able to put my hair into a ponytail now... MILESTONE!!

Anyway... That's not the point of this post.

A few weeks ago I received a message from a fellow 'Nuturalista' asking me about styling options for her TWA for work. She was bored of wearing her hair in just the Afro and wanted something "more professional".

Around the same time, there was a lot of discussion in the natural hair forums that I frequent, about how much trouble some women were having in the workplace with their natural hair. There were some that even suggested that natural hair is not professional (huh?). Some women said that they wear wigs to work in order to look more presentable.

My take on this? It's not just your hair that makes you look professional or presentable. If you don't look like you put any effort into your entire appearance, it won't matter if your hair is natural, relaxed, twisted, straight, long, short, whatever!

Also, if you don't have confidence within yourself to know that you are beautiful with your hair the way it is, it will show... and this will just open the door for ignorant people to add their unnecessary commentary. But that's just my opinion.

So... I was inspired to go through a week and style my hair the way I would to work (yes I have actually worn ALL these styles to work before). By doing this I hope to inspire those who are either bored with their TWA, or simply just want new styling options.

Video tutorials are also available if you click the captions... Hope you enjoy!

The Naturally Professional serieson Afrobella.com and CurlyNikki.com was created to make a positive statement. Our intent is to disprove false and long held beliefs that wearing ones hair in a natural style — including locs, sisterlocs, and loose natural hair — makes a person somehow not professional enough for a corporate environment. Natural hair IS professional, beautiful, well taken care of, and welcome in any kind of workplace. This month’s Naturally Professional woman proves that you can wear your hair in whatever style suits you, and rise to the top.

Tell me about your natural journey. What styles have you worn your hair in? How long have you been natural? What led you to wear your hair in a natural style?

As a child, I wore my hair completely natural and unprocessed. Straight, pressed hair was reserved for special occasions, like Easter and picture day. In middle school, my mother started giving my hair a light press that usually didn’t survive the week, or gym, whichever came first. From high school until I entered law school at 25, I wore my hair pressed straight. My mom pressed my hair until I went to college, and then I learned how to press it myself. My mom was very good at pressing hair, and she taught me well, so my hair was thick, long and healthy. But when I went to Harvard Law School, I decided pressing was “old-fashioned” and it was time for me to enter the modern world of relaxers. My almost waist-length hair got shorter and shorter. But apart from a brief period when I wore braids to grow out some damage from a particularly bad relaxer, I kept my hair relaxed, even though I hated the damage.

In a way, though, I’m grateful, because if I had continued to press my hair, I never would have discovered the beauty of my own natural hair texture. My family is from the South, and my mother was firmly in the “good hair” camp. I grew up believing my own natural hair texture, while not quite “bad,” certainly wasn’t “good.” And since it wasn’t “good,” it needed to be straightened. It took a long time for me to look at my own natural hair texture without cringing. Finally, in about my 7th year of practicing law, I got tired of relaxed hair breakage. I was also a new mom, and I wanted my daughter to grow up embracing her natural hair. I decided to grow out my relaxer. I didn’t do a “big chop.” I stopped getting touch-ups and cut the relaxed ends off, bit by bit, until I had enough length to finally let the rest of the relaxer go. I went back to pressing briefly, but disliked being so vulnerable to the elements. I then shifted to twists and wore two-strand twists for about five years. When I got tired of getting my hair re-twisted every 3 weeks, I decided to loc it.

Was your hair natural when you entered the working world? Or did you go natural while at your current job?

I wore my hair straight when I first entered the working world, and kept it that way until I finally grew out my relaxer. I don’t distinguish between the years I pressed and the years I relaxed my hair, because both were the result of my not liking the way my natural hair looked. I didn’t wear my hair straight because it was more manageable, I wore it straight because I thought it looked better that way. I was embarrassed to be seen with naps and frizz. When I transitioned to natural hair, I was a bit nervous at first. No other black woman lawyer at my conservative firm had ever worn natural hair, so I wasn’t sure how they were going to respond, but I received nothing but positive comments.

Have you ever faced any undue scrutiny and/or adversity in your career because of wearing your hair natural?

Not at all. I had all these hang-ups and ideas and beliefs about what the “right” styles were for black hair in white corporate America. I thought our hair had to be straight. I thought my natural hair was not only unprofessional, but ugly. Letting go of relaxers and pressing combs allowed me to fall in love with my natural hair and to call it “curly” instead of “nappy.” I learned to work with my hair’s natural curl pattern instead of trying to get rid of it. I had this image in my head of what “white people” would say or think about my hair. It turned out no one cared what I did with my hair, as long as it was neat. That doesn’t mean people didn’t notice, or ask questions. But I have never been reprimanded, “talked to,” or discriminated against because of my hair.

Do you think there is an issue today with acceptance overall in the corporate workforce for women who choose to wear natural hair?

I think it depends on where you are and in what industry you work. I know black women lawyers who practice across a broad range of specialties, from patent law to tax to environmental to corporate, who are natural. I know television producers, PR specialists, real estate brokers, accountants, managing partners at investment banks – all natural. In New York City, for the most part, natural hair isn’t much of an issue. I find it ironic that even in industries where natural hair is less accepted – such as entertainment, beauty and fashion – black women who are in front of the camera wear their hair relaxed or in weaves, but black women who work behind the scenes, including in senior management, are often natural. It’s definitely true at Estee Lauder. But at the same time, my friends and family in my hometown of Detroit tell me that natural hair is not as accepted there, and I suspect that’s true in other parts of the country as well.

I’ve also learned that this isn’t just a black woman’s issue. Just the other day, a white co-worker said she always thought her curly hair was “unprofessional” but she had chosen to wear her natural curls to work because of the heat. Curly-haired women of all races and cultures feel pressured to wear their hair straight and think of their own natural hair as “unmanageable.” I think all women would benefit if acceptance of our hair’s natural texture became a cross-cultural or multi-cultural conversation.

Are there any particular natural hairstyles they feel are no-no’s for the workforce or a particular style that is “safer” or more accepted than others, based on your experiences?

I’ve seen women of color in the workplace in New York City wearing just about every natural hairstyle that exists, but I do feel men are more restricted in their options. For instance, I think locs are more readily accepted on women than men. A young black man who works in my building, but not for my company, told me recently that his manager made him cut off his locs. The manager, a white woman, was in the elevator when we were having this conversation. She said to me, “He’s more handsome this way.” I was angry for a minute, but had to let it go. I couldn’t jeopardize that young man’s job by going off on his boss. So I just said to her, “He was handsome before, too.”

How do you or have you handled any questions or issues you’ve faced regarding your hair?

I feel like there are no dumb questions. White people don’t have to learn about black hair in the same way that we learn about white hair. Many people, regardless of race, don’t understand locs and think they’re unwashed and dirty. Some of the most negative comments I’ve heard about my hair, in fact, have come from black people. My mom, who passed two years ago, called my locs “a waste of long hair” because to get rid of them, most people just cut them off. I’d rather answer and provide information, than ridicule or make someone feel badly for what they don’t know.

Your job is an interesting mix of both beauty and the legal world. Does that make for a more creative working environment? Do you think your natural hair and style would be more or less welcome in an alternative legal career?

The Legal Department is comprised of lawyers who specialize in different areas. Some of our lawyers interface regularly with the beauty side of the business. Others – like myself – have less direct involvement with the beauty side, and more involvement with operations or corporate governance. The work done by the lawyers who handle our contracts with our models, for example, certainly appears glamorous from the outside. At the heart of it all, though, we provide legal advice to our clients to help them manage risk and make better business decisions, and it almost doesn’t matter whether the business is beauty or widgets. But the fact that we are a global prestige beauty company permits us, as employees, a wider degree of flexibility in self-expression than I think would be present in many other corporate settings. Some of our lawyers are very fashionable, others dress more conservatively, and the rest of us are in the middle. When I was in private practice, I wore a business suit every day. Today, I own two suits, and I almost never wear them to the office. I favor slacks with blouses or fitted tees, or dresses. I think if I were in an alternative legal career, such as working for a non-profit, I would dress pretty much the way I do now. I do wear more makeup than I used to before I joined the Company. I was a consumer of our brands’ products before I became an employee, and I love the fact that I get to experiment with our different products and brands.

There is always discussion and sometimes concern about wearing your hair natural and working, as well as succeeding, in the corporate workforce. What strategies can you offer other women who wear their hair natural on handling issues they may face in the workplace regarding their hair choice?

I think it is important to understand the environment you are about to enter before you begin working for a particular employer. A headhunter or recruiter can help you suss this out, and if they can’t, you are working with the wrong placement team. There is a lot you can assess about a place as you walk around meeting people on interviews. In most companies, “fit” is as important as skills and experience – even more so in this competitive environment. So you have to determine whether or not you are a good fit for the workplace you are contemplating, and whether they are a good fit for you. If wearing your hair naturally is something you value, you should work in an environment where your hair will not be a limiting factor in your ability to perform, achieve and succeed.

As a leader what insight can you offer women in general, natural or not, on succeeding as African American women? What are the top 3-5 tips to success you can offer?

1. Manage your own career. Know what it is you want, and find out what you have to do to get it. People are willing to help you, but you have to let them know what you want.

2. Be confident. If you wishy-washy in conveying your opinions, people will stop asking you for them. If you are apologetic when you ask someone who works for you to do something, they won’t take you seriously. If you say you are going to do something, do it; and if you figure out you can’t do it, own up to it.You don’t have to be perfect, or in possession of perfect information, to express yourself with confidence. Our CEO, Fabrizio Freda, encourages Estee Lauder employees to “lead from every chair.” That phrase means a lot to me, because it recognizes that even if you aren’t the person whose name is at the top of the org chart, you can demonstrate leadership within your sphere of influence. The more you step up and demonstrate leadership, the more people will recognize you as a leader.

3. Be helpful, but prioritize. Learn when to say yes and when and how to say no. You don’t have to say yes to everything you are asked to do, but there is an art to saying no. Make sure your priorities are in line with your management’s priorities and your company’s priorities, and hopefully those two things don’t conflict.

4. Be yourself, but be your best self. One mistake people often make is in thinking they need to fit into a mold to succeed. “Fit” means making sure your values and priorities, as well as your style of working, are aligned with the organization that you work for. It does not mean twisting yourself to fit into a box that does not suit you. We spend too much time at work to be uncomfortable there. Bring your whole self, but your best self, to the workplace.

Are you Naturally Professional? Do you know someone who fits the description? Then please send an e mail to [email protected] or to [email protected] using “Naturally Professional,”as the subject line. Please include the nominee’s name, photos, and a reliable email address.

I was talking to a good friend the other day when she asked me something that really threw me for a loop. I guess I thought, having achieved the level of success she has in her corporate career, she was immune to this trend. Maybe I thought because she wasn’t in TV, these issues didn’t pertain to her. But it was clear to me how wrong I was when Tracy took a deep breath and asked me, “Why don’t black women support each other?” Oh dear.

Tracy is thin, attractive, whip smart and graduated from a big name school near the top of her class. Warm, inviting, generous to a fault, she never met someone she wasn’t willing to give a fair shake to. But the pain in her voice was evident when she detailed how most of the relationships she’s experienced with other African American women in the working world, had been adversarial. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I understand. I really, REALLY do.

I remember early in my career, coming into a TV station where there was a well established, older, African American woman on staff. I had heard so much about her and was very much looking forward to learning from her. She, however, wanted noting to do with me. The benign neglect would have been one thing; the truly heartbreaking aspect was when I’d catch her with a scowl on her face as she was looking in my direction or the times she gave cub reporters, mostly men and some white women, detailed instruction on how to get better but could only manage remarks to me through her clenched teeth. I finally gave up but never forgot that experience, which is why I go overboard to share what I know with anyone who asks.

When I told my work hubby, Richard about Tracy’s experiences and my own, he was aghast. As a gay man, working in media, he’s constantly telling me about the “Gay Mafia” who look out for each other, alerting each other of upcoming projects and in general supporting one another. And it’s not just gay men; it’s common with other ethnic groups as well. Even African American men support each other more or, at the very least, are not actively undermining those they work with.

Knowing the “what” doesn’t make the “why” any clearer, but if I had to guess the cause of this trend I would think it’s rooted in two things. The first is the “only room for one” phenomenon, the idea that whatever the field, it’s a zero sum game and another woman of color is competition.

The other factor, and I HATE to admit this, is that women are catty. I’m not perfect and have to say I’ve been guilty of this bad habit myself at times. It’s far easier to tear another woman down, leaving you the last one standing, than to link arms with her and work together to make a real difference.

But the big issue I have with this alarming trend is that it targets the wrong people for blame. Shouldn’t we as black women be working together to make sure someone who looks like us, in gender and hue, gets the corner office? Wouldn’t that help the effort to get more representation among the people who do the hiring? And wouldn’t it be great if we learned to celebrate each other’s successes, confident that what we give, we get and at some point someone would be doing the same for us?

Alas, based on information I found out recently, I’m not sure how close we are to actually achieving that utopia. In the meantime, I’ll continue to do what I always have, offer support to those who ask, unconcerned with the false thinking that it weakens my position. Because the truth is, working together strengthens us as a whole. United we can move mountains.

Okay so I’m curious, if you are a black woman, what’s been your experience with other black female co-workers? Do you feel in constant competition? Do you think this is a phenomenon that other women in the workplace experience? Why do you think that is? Fire away!

Let me ask a couple questions: Were you afraid of going natural because you were worried what your employer/coworkers would think? Are you thinking about going natural right now, but hesitate because you think it will negatively affect your career?

The issue of “natural hair is unprofessional” was something I also struggled with before doing my big chop. I remember my mother and friends telling me that if I planned on becoming a doctor, I would have to keep my hair relaxed to “look professional.”

Despite their good intentions, fortunately my mother and friends were wrong. My natural hair has never caused an issue with employment or questions of professionalism. And interestingly enough, since going natural I constantly get approached by professional black women that are also interested in transitioning to natural hair. They are often surprised that I’m a doctor and that my hair has never been an issue. And while giving my opinion and advice on going natural, I tell them to answer this one question as honestly as they can: Do you really think that your employer/coworker will have an issue, or is it just that YOU have an issue with natural hair.

I ask this question because I’ve noticed an interesting trend in the whole “natural hair is unprofessional” perspective. I’ve found many times that a black woman’s perceptions of how natural hair might be perceived are oftentimes not reality, but just a reflection and projection of her own insecurities. Moreover, when I went natural it was interesting to observe that the only criticisms of unprofessionalism that I received were from a handful of other black people— non-black people didn’t seem to care. And it’s all of these experiences that led me to have the strong opinion that whether fellow black people, or people of other races like it or not, this is our hair and they should get used to it. No one should feel forced to put a relaxer on their hair and scalp, just to be “accepted” or to make other people more comfortable.

It’s true that certain industries require a more conservative look. But I ultimately still encourage women to transition to natural if they really want to. Why? Because it is possible to have a conservative look with natural hair. People that claim natural hair is unprofessional are just uneducated on how to care for and/or style natural hair. Basically when it comes to hair, natural or relaxed, neatness and maintenance are key. And when it comes to professionalism, how you carry yourself is even more important than how you wear your hair.

Want to know more about Dr. Phoenyx Austin? Then show her some love on her Facebook fan page! Dr. Phoenyx is a physician, writer, & media personality- empowering women by providing fun and informative commentary that encourages us all to be free and be beautiful.

THE TAMING OF THE CURL. That's what I just saw on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. "Oh really," I thought as I grabbed the paper, "Just what do they have to say about a curl and why in the hell does it need to be tamed?"

I quickly found the article and skimmed it. I came across some phrases like "fear of frizzy curls" , "wild, curling tendrils", "pressure to tame", "can't look unkempt", "makes it a prettier curl", "curly hair in theory", "too big...undefined...looks a mess" and "kinky curly.... more manageable."

The title of the post made me look up the definition of 'TAME', since my first reaction was, "Who said it needs to be tamed?"

This is what I found. TAME means...

Changed from the wild or savage state; domesticated﻿

Docile or submissive

Lacking in excitement; dull; insipid

Spiritless or pusillanimous

Not to be taken very seriously; without real power or importance, serviceable but harmless

To deprive of courage, ardor or zest

To harness or control

Listen, I know there are various schools of thoughts and personal experiences as it relates to natural hair in the workplace, both negative and positive. I've even been asked my opinion on various Natural Hair Features. Occasionally, I talk about it on my "Natural Hair" topical videos too over on Youtube.

.My easy answer is...

Curly hair is suitable for the workplace.

My curly hair has never hindered my professional life... both in corporate America and in the arts.

Depending on how you style ANY hair; straight, wavy or curly...you can come across as unkempt or kempt.

Depending on your place of employment, they can be as picky as they want. (One company wanted me to wear company issued red lipstick and corporate pearls around my neck. Just put me in chains, why don't you!)

For most corporate companies, taking a pick and fro'ing your hair out probably isn't best! But wearing your hair as it naturally grows like a wash & go or styling it "appropriately" while still being stylish, is more than okay!

I live a successful life in "corporate" America, and in my artistic endeavors, and I've never once thought that I advanced or was held back because of my hair.... or my height, or eye color, or weight, etc. I suppose, it is because the fields that interest me also pay little mind to that.Even my day job in the financial industry on WALL STREET in downtown New York allows me to rock my curls.And I rock them in a variety of ways from twist-outs, to braid-outs to curly puffs, curly fro's, twist knot-outs, etc. Usually, at my job, the bigger the better!

My colleagues take joy in my hair actually. I'm not surprised by this since after interviewing for a job that fulfilled all my qualifications, I also paid special mind to their company culture.

For me, that is just as essential as the pay, the work, the benefits, perks or location. Who are the people? How do they work together? Therefore, the majority of their acceptance of my hair was expected and its always appreciated, although I don't need it.

I say majority because there's one associate from one of our firms who projects her issues of insecurity regarding her wavy hair onto my big, curly hair. Whenever I wear my various fro styles, she always has something to say. I hardly ever pay her any mind. She's not the God of my life, or my source. In fact,BE YOUR OWN SOURCE!

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Besides, for the three comments she made in regards to my hair, the OWNER of the company often stops to compliment my hair. He usually speaks up when I am wearing a curly fro or a big poofy puff. "I like your hair," he'll quietly say as he passes by my desk. He's most vocal about my full out afros. One of my former managers would often say, "I love your hair. I wish I had hair like that!" His wife, who'd visit the office would say, "You always change it up. I love your style." Another colleague jokes that depending on the day you just never know what I might look like.

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That's the type of environment I live and work in. If your environment is domesticating you, taking your power and trying to harness and control you until you are spiritless, I'd consider finding a different environment or developing your own. You make the rules. Don't just go with the flow, BE THE FLOW!

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The Wall Street Journal interviewed an image consultant who added her own two cents and I'm sure her observations will probably discourage a natural or deter a transitioner and it's unfortunate. I'm sure some people have preconceived notions regarding hair, but that's only some people. I work for a high powered company that's changing the world and our look isn't even suits and ties, or business casual. It's casual. Colleagues walk by in flip flops and board shorts in the summer. Some people wear the same t-shirt three days in a row. People have piercings, tattoos, and huge FROS. And they are multi-millionaires changing the finance industry every day!

The dream that you want and the ability to be yourself while you achieve it CAN HAPPEN. Perhaps you want to be the top prosecuting attorney in the country. Or you want to be a neurosurgeon, or a best selling author, or the next president. You can be anything you want and you can be yourself while achieving it.

Sure, its easier for me to boost my style and personality in the theater and art industry but I was able to find a corporate job on Wall Street where I could FRO it out too!

Look at the definition of TAME up above? Do you really want someone taming any part of you, including your hair?

Domesticate your horse but I will be damned if anyone ever tames my curls!

Are natural hair and locs unprofessional in corporate America? That was the subject broached by the friend of a friend on Facebook recently. The young lady stated that she likes natural hairstyles, but because she works in an entry level position at a conservative investment bank, she doesn’t think it is “work appropriate,” and that it would be difficult to move up the corporate ladder with an “ethnic” hairstyle. The statement made me wonder whether many women on Black Enterprise’s 75 Most Powerful Women in Business list wore their hair in natural or “ethnic” hairstyles. A cursory glance produced about five, including Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox and one of the most powerful women in business. I couldn’t think of any C-suite men who had locs or short afros. When I informed the young woman on Facebook what I found, she countered that those five women were at the top of their game, and that their hair may not have been "kinky" on the way up.

Hmmm. She’s got a point.

I’m a believer in freedom of expression when it comes to appearance. I definitely do NOT believe that all Black people should wear their hair natural. But for those who choose to, the idea that you can’t succeed in business if you choose to leave your naturally curly hair, curly, really bothers me.

So, when I pitched the idea for an article about natural hair in the C-suite at a recent meeting, a few of my BLACK ENTERPRISE colleagues said that the way in which one wore their hair was an expression of fashion; something meant to change with the seasons and maturity. Others thought the issue had been played in the media too many times. And some just wondered why anyone would care about expressing their self through hair if they were unemployed and in desperate need of work.

Then there were those like me who asked the same question that actress Tracie Thoms did in Chris Rock’s movieGood Hair. Why is it that wearing one’s hair, the way God created it such a revolutionary idea? After debating our different perspectives for the next 10-15 minutes, we all realized this was truly a divisive issue worth covering.

Why is natural hair such a big deal? Here is some backgroundfor anyone who is completely clueless on the subject and a reminder for those who already know. There is a negative stigma attached to natural Black hair in the United States and frankly in most places of the world. The story starts way before the current natural hair craze that some people think is a fad, and before the 1970's when afros became popular as a “political statement” for activists who wanted to revel in “Black beauty” but was then temporarily accepted by the rest of the Black community and White ones too.

In the 1800's and early 1900's nappy, kinky, curly, hair was deemed inferior, ugly, and unkempt in comparison to the flowing, bouncy, hair of people from other cultures. The caricatures of Blacks that surfaced during that time in movies, children’s books, on laundry detergent, and food products were commonplace and they taught Blacks and Whites alike to loathe the appearance of Black hair and to associate it with dirtiness, unruliness and even character traits like laziness and dishonesty.

While the dark complexions, wider noses, and fuller lips of Blacks were also disparaged, the texture of our hair was the only thing that we could realistically and drastically change (at that time) about our appearance to escape those negative associations. And making that change was encouraged as Blacks who straightened their hair were deemed more likable, agreeable, and dependable by Whites; even more employable.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, that sentiment still exists, although I do believe that fewer Whites and more Blacks actually believe it to be true. If you haven’t noticed recently, Black women with kinky hair dominate the same commercials that are cast by all White ad agencies (that is the only time you’ll hear me giving Madison Avenue props). It’s mostly Blacks, not Whites who have internalized the hype from 100 years earlier and who just won’t let it go.

The aspiration to straighten and lengthen our hair wasn’t all bad. The money that was created from Black businesses like Madame C. J. Walker, Dudley Hair Care Products, and hundreds of thousands of Black beauty parlors has done some good for the Black community. It also led us to experiment with our hair and pave innovative roads in hair fashion. But our obsession with straight flowing hair has also caused us to allow some people to take advantage of us financially.

As a woman who chooses to wear my hair in natural styles, it’s disheartening to me that I receive more negative comments from Blacks about my hair then I’ve ever received from Whites.

That’s not to say that White people don’t still feel nappy Black hair is hideous, but they aren’t as vocal about it and when they are, they’re usually condemned as racist. Remember the White staffer from Glamour magazine who told a group of lawyers that ethnic hairstyles were a fashion don’t when it came to corporate dress? She was reprimanded and the editor and managing editor of the magazine was made to apologize publicly on her behalf.

Meanwhile, day in and day out, Black women and men tell other Black women and men the exact same things without any condemnation.

Now, having said all of that, I’m going to contradict myself (Hey, Blacks are not a monolithic group and my opinions don’t walk a straight line either). The unemployment rate fell to 9% recently, but it is still 15.7% for Blacks not including the under-employed, marginally attached, and discouraged workers. The reality is that your chances for getting a job and getting promoted are lessened when you don’t conform/assimilate to an ideal, predefined standard of appearance in certain industries. Is it right? No. Is there something you can do about that? Yes. If you’ve demonstrated that you have an incomparable work ethic, you can tame your company’s most challenging projects, and you’ve dotted every I or crossed every T on your resume but you still aren’t getting hired or promoted, then you have three choices: 1) Change industries 2) start your own company or 3) conform and straighten your hair and/or cut your locs.

At any cost, as Indie.Arie once reminded us, we are NOT our hair, and if you cut it, it will grow back. And that’s just what you can do once you’ve proven your worth and scaled the company hierarchy. At which point you can start hiring some of those people who were in your shoes and make sure they don’t have to walk the “fine line” in order to make the cut.

What do you think? Can natural hair and professionalism co-exist? Or should we all expect to conform when we take (or apply for) positions in various companies?Should it matter how you wear your hair as long as you present yourself well? Join the conversation by leaving your comment below.

Alta Angel teaches transitioners and naturals alike how to achieve a chic, massive bun even if length and volume are still lacking.

Alta Angel writes:

I have been transitioning for almost one year and this easy, professional style has been heavy in my rotation since month 9. I work in a corporate, relatively conservative environment, so my hair must reflect those same themes while I am at work. Buns have been my saving grace, and I do consider them to be a "protective style". Buns do not have to be frumpy or boring...they can be quite elegant if you are creative!

After washing/conditioning/steaming my hair in 6 braids:

I take down each braid and apply Qhemets Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream and Olive and Honey Hydrating balm section by section and re-braid.

I sleep in a satin scarf/bonnet and let my hair dry overnight.

In the morning, I re-moisturize with a spritz and take out the braids. I apply aloe vera gel alone or combine with Eco Styler clear gel to my edges and nape and lightly brush up into a high ponytail.

I wrap the covered band around the ponytail twice and then wrap my little pony stub around the band and secure with a coated bobby pin.

At this point, I tie my hair down with a silk scarf so that my hair will "set" for about 15 minutes. I use this time to get dressed or put on my make-up.

I take my faux braid and secure it to my head (just above the ponytail)with two long, coated hair pins in an "X" formation.

I wrap the faux braid around the ponytail and secure with the "open" bobby pins.

I use Femi brand Kankaleon hair in color: 2A and type: "Marley Braids". The hair is secured at the top with a rubber band-do not remove! The Marley braids look like natural locks...to create the bun, I simply put the hair in three sections and braid into one large braid and fasten a black rubber band to the end. The hair definitely duplicates my 4a/b texture. This hair can bepurchased in most beauty supply stores or try www.femicollection.com.

Here's a style that I recently did that I am definitely putting in rotation! It's a nice casual updo for work, or school or whenever!

First, on my DRY hair, I made a part from ear to ear. I then double strand flat twisted using Cantu Shea Butter (starting at my face and working toward the crown).

I secured each flat twist with a bobby pin as I went. When all the twists were complete, I took the pins out and used a cloth covered hair scrunchy and gathered all the twists to form a pony tail (so it's like a half up/half down 'do at this time).

Next, with the other half of my hair, I made another pony tail in the back of my head.

I then separated each ponytail into sections and basically pinned each section into big curls all over, overlapping some of them to create more volume and a care free look.

Bekka, one of my favorite curly girls (and field reporter, lol) sent me a link to Coach Lynn's video on the dangers of trying to fit in at work. Although it's not about natural hair, it is most certainly relevant!

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